Product Details

1336 to 1646 India Vijayanagara Gold Bele Worlds Smallest Gold Coin ICG Genuine This fascinating miniature gold coin originates from the Vijayanagara Empire of southern India, one of the most powerful and culturally significant kingdoms in Indian history. The empire was founded in 1336 and remained a major regional power for centuries, becoming renowned for its extensive trade, monumental architecture and sophisticated monetary system. Known as a Bele, this tiny denomination demonstrates just how remarkably small historical gold currency could be. Despite its extremely diminutive size, it was produced as actual money rather than as a modern miniature or novelty piece. Small gold denominations were useful within a monetary system in which the precious metal itself carried substantial purchasing power. The Vijayanagara Empire issued numerous types of gold coins during its long history, ranging from larger pagodas to exceptionally small denominations. Their coinage frequently incorporated religious and dynastic imagery and today provides an important physical connection to the economic and cultural history of medieval and early modern India. This example has been authenticated by ICG as Genuine and is encapsulated in a holder identifying it as an India Vijayanagara Bele dating from the 1336 to 1646 period. The holder also describes the piece as the "Worlds Smallest Gold Coin." Its combination of genuine historic gold, extraordinary miniature size and connection to the Vijayanagara Empire makes this an especially unusual addition to a collection of ancient and world coinage.